Restaurant Reviews
Checking Out Cooper River Park’s New Eatery
March 20, 2019
LaScala's Birra brought its popular Italian-American menu and beer list to Camden County last year.
Last year, Miti Miti opened in the building that once housed Stony’s, a South Orange Village favorite.
Chef David Drake has won plaudits for his cooking going back to 2006. Last year, he resurfaced at the upscale Stone House. Our reviewer finds some hints of vintage Drake, but not as many as his track record would make one expect.
Top Talent Finally at Ease at Heirloom Kitchen
March 6, 2019
After years of bouncing around, the gifted David Viana finds the perfect partner and fulfills his potential in Old Bridge.
The dozens of barbecue trophies at Whole Hog Cafe in Cherry Hill reflect the accomplishments of the original in Little Rock, Arkansas, and maybe its two NJ outposts as well.
The owners of Sona Thirteen redesigned and reopened the place as South Street Social to become worthy exemplars of Morristown’s booming craft beer scene.
Montclair Social Club is a Sophisticated Standout
February 20, 2019
A large and long-vacant comedy club has been transformed into Montclair’s newest hot spot.
Casey and Jason Simkins, veterans of the Stephen Starr restaurant group, have finally achieved their dream of opening their own restaurant.
Sam Freund, known for cofounding a funky sandwich joint, opens a stunning restaurant on the very spot where his parents once dated.
An offshoot of a venerable and beloved bakery in Brooklyn, this bustling restaurant offers a large selection of Italian favorites.
At Kabab Paradise in Lake Hiawatha, the Saleh family serves a variety of tasty Afghan-inspired dishes as well as indulgences like the Mars Burger.
Cambo Box in New Brunswick has found a devoted following among Rutgers students for its small but highly customizable menu of modern Cambodian dishes. It's also a convenient quick lunch spot if you’re on jury duty at the nearby courthouse.
For and Against the Grain: Grain & Cane in Berkeley Heights
January 23, 2019
The restaurant, which opened last May, is bringing excitement to its part of Union County, in an attractive faux-industrial space, with some appealing dishes. But overall it needs to execute dishes more consistently.
At Holy Tomato in Blackwood, customers sit at close-set tables under ornamental lights and quippy signs to enjoy whole pizzas (no slices) and novelties like cheesecake in warm butter-rum sauce.
“Hands of Gold”: Valentina’s in Northfield
January 16, 2019
That is how chef Rosaria Conti’s skill with dough is described by Paula Giordano, her business partner. It's a just description for Conti’s pizzas and pastas. But he says not all of Valentina’s menu meets that golden standard.
At Gayeon in Fort Lee, a Beautiful Encounter
January 2, 2019
The Korean word "Gayeon" translates to "beautiful encounter" into English. With few exceptions, the restaurant lives up to its name.
You’ll taste the South in virtually everything from chicken, meat and seafood to mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas at this down-home eatery.
Owners Cory and Natalie Reuss met in Austin, Texas before moving to Collingswood. The couple opened Macona BBQ over the summer in the space that once held Sweet Freedom Bakery.
That, more or less, is what noted chef James Avery (of the Bonney Read in Asbury Park) set out to create with his “neighborhood kitchen” Farmly.
SEAK and You Shall Find Eclectic Asian: SEAK in Edgewater
December 18, 2018
SEAK (Southeast Asian Kitchen) in Edgewater, serves mostly Vietnamese and Thai food in a colorful contemporary space with a few tables offering Hudson River views.